INVASION OF PALESTINE.

North Otago Times, Volume CV, Issue 13927, 9 July 1917, Page 6

INVASION OF PALESTINE.

SUCCESS OF OPERATIONS. COLONIAL SERVICES ACKNOWLEDGED, FIGHTTNG ACROSS A WATEBLESS DESERT. (Australian and Beutcr), Received duly 8, 0,5 p.m. LONDON, July 7. Cenernl Sir John Hurray's u> spatches, flu- operations in Sinai from Iho Ist October, ID lb', | 0 2,Sth February, 1!)I7, mention 12!) Australians ami forty-three New Zealam.l----ci'-i. The ilespatehes specially commend the Australian and Sew Zealand "'ounteds' skilful occupation of El Arish ami llasmi on the l!0tli Deeem-lii-'r, ciuliiifr in (Jeneral Chauvel's line ltisii-cli on Uagilliiiba, where 1252 Turks were raptured, the British only losing Ll4 killed" ami wounded, The brilliant ilnsh of the Now Zealand's iiioiiiifeils iiielmleil Colonel Chetwode's 'coliiiini, advancing on Rafa on the flth

January, mill whs the outstanding feature of thi' action resulting in the capture of Ihe entire Turkish-force of Mill men. The main factor of the success'in conquering Sinai desert tva,: iYHi.se and unremitting work. Hundreds of miles of roads ami railways were built. Filters were installed, supplying 1,500,0011 gallons of water daily. Large quantities of stone were transported from distant quarries, and Kantal'ii was transformed into an important railway and water terminus. Hundreds pf miles of barbed-wire entanglements; aerodromes, wireless stations, and sanitation works necessary to make the desert habitable were constructed. The work of tiie Camel Corps, including the Australian and New Zealand units, was excellent, throughout, having ,i onc a great part of the work of supplying the troops, Sir John pays tributes to the organising powers of Licuteiiant-General Dobell', and his success in maintaining the troops in a waterless desert, well ahead of tho railway. Colonel Chetlvode, who commanded the "desert column, showed great foresight and : decision, and General Chauvel displayed skilful leadership, I